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DSWD reports P1.2-B disaster response fund utilization for 2020

By Christine Cudis

December 30, 2020, 7:01 pm

<p><strong>ASSISTANCE. </strong>DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista and DSWD National Capital Region director Vic Toma hand over a family food pack to an evacuee during a relief distribution in the region on Nov. 12, 2020. Bautista said services provided to the public to address the disasters this year reached more than PHP1.2 billion. (<em>DSWD file photo)</em></p>

ASSISTANCE. DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista and DSWD National Capital Region director Vic Toma hand over a family food pack to an evacuee during a relief distribution in the region on Nov. 12, 2020. Bautista said services provided to the public to address the disasters this year reached more than PHP1.2 billion. (DSWD file photo)

MANILA – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista reported on Thursday that services provided to the public to address the disasters this year reached more than PHP1.2 billion.

From January to October, DSWD reported more than PHP1.2 billion disaster response utilization fund.

The department said it has also delivered as augmentation for disaster operations of local government units a total of 861,490 family food packs and more than 2.1 million various non-food items amounting to over PHP841.9 million.

When Typhoon Quinta battered the country, the agency provided PHP6.4 million to Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas, which were hit hard by the series of typhoons during the last quarter of the year.

For ‘Rolly’, which was classified as a super typhoon, the DSWD shelled out some PHP74.1 million.

When Typhoon Ulysses unleashed its wrath on the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, National Capital Region, and Cordillera, DSWD has provided assistance worth PHP159.8 million.

Recovery interventions

DSWD said it has also created programs that will motivate affected families to work and earn after being devastated.

The cash-for-work (CFW) and emergency shelter assistance (ESA) were implemented in regional offices.

DSWD-Central Office allocated some PHP123 million to kick off the programs.

DSWD-Bicol has employed 10,032 families affected by “Rolly” with totally damaged houses in the provinces of Albay and Catanduanes.

“Each family received PHP12,330 composed of PHP10,000 for ESA and PHP2,330 for CFW at PHP233.00 per day for 10 days,” DSWD said.

Additionally, the climate change adaptation and mitigation effort initiated by the DSWD has employed 276, 575 households nationwide under the CFW program.

2021 plans

Though hopeful for the new year, DSWD said it is anticipating challenges with the continued threat of the pandemic.

“The year 2021 will undoubtedly bring new challenges, but the DSWD assures Filipinos of its consistent dedicated and compassionate public service,” Bautista said.

For 2021, DSWD will receive an annual budget of PHP176.9 billion.

Bautista said it will enable the agency to strengthen its social welfare and development programs, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Supplementary Feeding Program, Sustainable Livelihood Program, Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), protective services for individuals and families in difficult circumstances, and disaster response and rehabilitation programs.

“DSWD will leverage these programs and services to help poor Filipinos pull through especially during these difficult times. Further, the Department, together with its personnel, will continue to work towards the realization of its ultimate goal of helping alleviate the lives of the poor from poverty,” he said. (PNA)

 

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